Almost 3 weeks now that we are enjoying our holidays in the Netherlands. We did a lot & saw many family members & friends. Unfortunately I forgot the memory card of my camera. Must admit that it is so nice to go out without a camera, much more peaceful... just can't show you anything...
This weekend my husband will join us in the Netherlands & while my son will join a tennis camp next week, my husband & I will go to Belgium (instead of France) playing golf, walking, biking, enjoying the nature around Waterloo & for the cultural & gastronomical part we'll visit Brussels.
A bit less than 2 weeks before we head back to Brazil. I'm really missing my 2nd home country!!
When we're back, this blog will be up & running again on full speed, I promise!

Wish you all sunny & beautiful holidays!! Take care!!

Is there a better start of a weblog than looking into Pierce's eyes?

Antoinette from 'Twaatje's diary' is hosting a very cute give away, all you have to do is include your favorite actor in your weblog before July 5... Have a look!

I think my favorite actor is Pierce Brosnan, but you know, it's pretty difficult to choose... Love George Clooney, Clive Owen, Hugh Jackman, Kevin Costner, Robert Redford (and so I can go on) as well...

But as I really have to choose, Pierce is my choice (I met him briefly last year, here in São Paulo, he was doing a promotion campaign for a car brand, so maybe that just gives him that little extra for me).

I'm off to Europe tomorrow, visiting family & friends, enjoying the long evenings, savouring all the goodies, etc. and visiting friends in Paris...

Back in August!
Have a wonderful month!!

Love, Chantal

Can you imagine how much we enjoyed our holidays? The sky so blue, the water so clear that it looked like it was photoshopped...

We had a wonderful time and it was quite difficult to select some pictures to show you. Here's an impression:

And now I'm organizing my next trip, back to the roots; homeleave!

We'll be flying this weekend and be back in the beginning of August.

I'm very much looking forward to spending some time with my family & my friends over there.

And hopefully we can add a small trip somewhere in Europe.

I'll keep you posted!!

Holidays have started... so we're off for some time.

First we'll travel in Brazil and later we'll be going to Europe.

Looking very much forward to it (São Paulo is cold & rainy, I need sun & heat).

Our first stop will be the beautiful place in the above picture: Fernando de Noronha, a gorgeous island in the northeast of Brazil.

Later we'll continue to the mainland of Brazil: Porto de Galinhas...

This is the hotel we'll be staying, quite relaxing, isn't it?

I might have access to internet, but I'm not sure if I'll want the spend time on it...

But I will be back in about 2 weeks.

See you then!

Hugs, Chantal

The school year is coming to an end, one more day and the holidays will start.

Time to say good bye to teachers and class mates, only returning in August.

Also time to say good bye to good friends.

Unfortunately, the life as an expatriate consists often of farewells. This summer too, many of my friends will be leaving, either returning to their home country or leaving for another challenge in yet another country.

My Russian friend is leaving soon... she gave me this typical Russian present, to make sure I wouldn't forget her (how could I??). I'm soooo in love with it! Don't you think they are cute (and the colour just matches perfectly with the colours of my house!)?

A very cold day in São Paulo, winter has started!

6 Degrees Celsius during the night (but believe me, no central heating so the temperature inside the house feels the same!).

Time to bake waffles.

Served them to 8 girls during a Dutch movie night, they were quickly gone, very good with some whipped cream.





Had to hit the gym the next day...

Have a wonderful & sporty (this one is actually for myself) weekend!!

A lovely, quiet weekend @ home.

Outside it's windy & chilly, so the kitchen is the perfect place to spend the Sunday afternoon.
My husband is out for a round of golf and my son is at the tennis court right now. That gives me time to prepare our diner for tonight: lasagna with a fresh green salad it will be.

I'm already looking forward to it!

(and now I'm back to the TV: watching the tennis matches at Roland Garros: what a surprise: Rafael Nadal is out!!! Fingers crossed now for my all time favorite: Roger Federer!!)

The pictures of our 100 year event turnt out very blurry... such a pity... Not sure if it was the photographer or the wine ;-) Fortunelately I can show you some pictures of the table...

Anyway, we had a wonderful day & will always remember the special ambiance full of love & friendship!

Sure not going to wait till a 200 year event...!

Our family (my husband, my son & me) turnt 100 years together. Reason enough for a small party! We're having a lunch on Sunday for our friends and all the kids will have their own party (with DJ and some monitors) in the 'salão de festas' (the party room of the compound).

As you can imagine, preparartions are already in full bloom!

I went to the market this morning and bought some beautiful zinnias and dahlias.

The white flowers will go into 10 small round vases on the tables.

Of course I had to stock up on wine & champagne, and some more healthy items like grapes, strawberries, figs, goat cheese, stoneleeks, tomatoes & endives.

The tables will look fresh & colourful with these red & white dot table cloths and white & red dot napkins.

Are you curious how it will turn out in the end?

Then be sure to check back next week to see the results!!

Wishing you all a wonderful & sunny weekend!

Enjoy!!

Beijos, Chantal

After too many rich coffees, breakfasts, lunches, diners, BBQ's, etc. it's time for a healthier lifestyle. So I stocked up on fruits and filled the duck (my fruit basket) with it.
It looks so nice, colourful & healthy. It shouldn't be too difficult to live healthier...
(provided someone keeps the chocolate out of our house *smile*).

What are your secrets to stay healthy? I'd love to hear/read them!!

Have a healthy day!
Chantal